Electric translating apparatus



0. KlLTlE April 3, 1945.

ELECTRI C TRANSLAT ING APPARATUS Filed June 3, 1941 P 1 12 /a /a /z /a InVenEor: Ordean Kiltie,

Patented 3, 1945 2,372,966 ELECTRIC TRANSLATING APPARATUS Ordean Kiltie, Fort Wayne,

Ind., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application June 3, 1941, Serial No. 398,421

6 Claims.

My invention relates to electric translating apparatusand more particularly to paratus for transferring energy and alternating current circuits.

Various circuits and cooperating mechanical switching devices have been proposed for transferring energy in either direction between direct and alternating current circuits or for cnverting direct current of one voltage to direct current of another voltage. In response to the demand for increased power rating of these equipments vibratory switches of the double reed type have been provided. In the operation of these devices difllculty has been experienced in out-of-phase operation of the two reeds, particu-' larly during starting of the vibratory switch. In the circuits often used with this type of vibrator a short circuiting of the direct current circuit has occurred when the out-of-phase operation of the reeds was suflicient to cause the closure of one set of stationary contacts associated with one reed and the oppositely located set of stationary contacts associated with the other reed. In accordance with the teachings of my invention, I provide an improved vibratory switching device of the double reed or heavy duty type with an improved energy supply circuit and driver coil circuit to minimize out-of-phase ope'ration oi the two reeds and to preclude the possibility of a short circuit on the supply circuit due to out-of-phase operation.

It is an object of my invention to provide a new and improved electric translating appa-l ratus of the type employing a, vibratory switch for the conversion of electrical energy from one form to another.

,It is another object of my invention to provide new and improved translating apparatus includ-.

ing a vibratory switch of the double reed type in which the vibrating ystem, including the driver coil circuit controlling contact, is more perfectly balanced to eliminate out-of-phase operation.

It is another object or my invention to provide adouble reed vibratory switching device in which the vibratory elements offer a minimum resistance to vibration and at the same time are exceedingly well connected mechanically and,

balanced to provide uniform vibration and inphase vibration of the two vibratory elements.

It is still another object of my invention to provide a new and improved circuit arrangement for a reversing type vibratory inverter circuit which eliminates the possibility of short circuits due to excessive out-of-phase operation of the vibratory elements.

It is still a further object o! my invention to provide a new and improved driver coll circuit for a vibratory switch to improve the driving force and minimize the out-of-phase operation of the vibratory elements of the switch.

My invention will be better understood by reference to the following description taken in con nection with the accompanying drawing, and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing, Fig. 1 is a.front elevational view of a vibratory switch embodying certain features of my invention; Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of the switch of Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a, sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. i; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a detail of the contact arrangement of the switch shown in Fig. l, and Fig. 5 shows the vibratory switch illustrated in Fig. 1 connected in a circuit arranged in accordance with the present invention.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, I provide a vibratory switch of the reversing type comprising two units of identical construction which are operated in synchronism and are mechanically interconnected in an improved manner.

Referring now to Fig. 1, the two switches are arranged side by side and assembled between supporting plates l0 and H. Each of the switches is of identical construction and only one will be described, it being understood that the parts are duplicated for each switch. The fixed and movable contacts are supported from one end of the frame in suitably spaced relation by means of the spacing blocks I 2 of insulating material and the cooperating holding bolts 13. Centrally located between the frame member is the movable contact assembly comprising a vibratory reed ll, of spring steel or other suitable resilient material, having an armature portion l5 at the free end and having a contact assembly secured thereto to intermediate the armature and the fixed end. The movable contact assembly includes sheet metal supporting members I 8 ar- "ranged on opposite sides of the vibratory reed I4 and reinforced by U-shaped bridging memhers I! which stiifen the movable contact structure and prevent undesirable vibration of the contacts with respect to the vibratory reed. The

7 contacts proper designated by the numerals I8 and lta are secured on the outside of the members l6 on the opposite sides of the vibratory reed and are electrically connected to the fixed end of the reed assembly by means of copper sheets I! which provide a low resistance electrical path to the external circuit. Pairs of fixed contacts and 200 are arranged in cooperative relation with the movable contacts i6 and 16a on opposite sides of the movable contact assembly and, as illustrated, each fixed contact is carried by a resilient contact supporting arm 2| which is preferably backed by a sheet of good conducting material 22 and a contact backing arm .23 having a stop member 24 formed integrally therewith and engaging the inside surface of the free end of the contact supporting arm 23. The fixed contact backing arm is bend able at a point designated by the numeral 25 to provide an adjustment of the initial tension of the supporting arm 2| on contact 20. and

at a point 25a to determlne the position of the fixed contact at the moment of engagement with the movable contacts. The switch described above comprises two fixed contacts on each side of the vibratory element which are arranged to be engaged alternately by the pairs of contacts located on the opposite sides of the movable contact structure. The reed assembly of each of the vibratory switches is mechanically tuned to approximately the desired operating frequency and is operated electro-rnagnetical ly by means of an electro-magnet comprising an operating coil 26 and a laminated core structure 21. v The core structure is secured between the supporting plates l0 and H, and, in the particular form illustrated, comprises a stack of punchings which may be considered generally E-shaped. The coil 26 is mounted on the central leg of the E and the outer arms of the E terminate in opposed pole portions on opposite sides of the armature portion l5 of the vibratory element ll. The end of the armature i5 is in alinement with one edge of the central leg of the core structure 21 when the coil 26 is deenergined. The two fixed contacts on one side of the movable contact assembly of each switch are connected in parallel to provide increased current carrying capacity. s

In order to render the switch capable of reversing the connection between the input and output terminals the two switches are maintained electrically insulated but in order to obtain in-phase and synchronous operation of the two reeds they are mechanically balanced and tied together in a manner to. offer a minimum of resistance to vibration; Referring to the drawing, the reeds ll are secured together near the armature ends thereof by a tie member 28 of strong but light material. The tie member 28 has a right angle cross section at each end and is secured in insulated relation to the vibrating reeds ll of each switch. The portion of the tie member extendingbetween the vibrating reeds is a flat bar with the edge lying in the direction of vibratory movement so as to'ofier a minimum air resistance to vibration. It is found that this is important inwith respect to the vibratory reed l4 and at the same time to so locate it as to leave the vibrating system in perfect balance.

Referring to the drawing. particularly Fig. 4, a member 29 of insulating material is provided with portions which extend between the movable contact supporting member iii of each ,of the vibrating assemblies and are secured thereto by any suitable means such as rivets 30. One side v of the. member is provided with a centrally located longitudinally extending recess 31 for the reception of, a spring supporting arm 32 for a movable contact 33 which is provided to control the energization of the driver coil circuits, as will be described in more detail in connection with Fig. 5. The spring arm 32 is secured to insulating member 29 bya suitable U-shaped clip 34 and securing rivet 35. A conductor 36 extends from the clip 34 between the spacer blocks l2 to provide for making a connection to the external electrical circuit. As shown in Figs. 2 and '3, the

movable driver coil contact 33 cooperates with an adjustable fixed contact 31 carried by an adjusting screw 36 which threadedly engages the frame member H and is secured in adjusted position by a suitable lock nut 36.

Some of the features and advantages of the construction thus far described will become more apparent from a consideration of the novel manner in which the alternating current and direct current circuits are connected with respect to the fixed and movable contacts of the reversing type vibrator which has been illustrated schematically in Fig. 5.

In Fig. 5 the mechanical parts of the vibrator have been illustrated schematically and the same reference numerals as used ln the other figures have been used to designate corresponding parts.

The circuit of Fig. 5 shows the vibratory switch.

of Figs. .1 to 4 connected to control the transfer of energy between a direct current circuit 40 and an alternating current circuit 4|. While the arrangement may be operated to transfer energy in either direction, it will be described as operating as an inverter for transferring energy between the direct current circuit 40 and the alterhating current circuit 4!.

In accordance with the present invention the alternating current circuit supply lines 4| are electrically connected with the vibratory reeds l4 .and the contacts i8 and Ma associated therewith. One direct current line is connected with the fixed contacts 20 of one switch and fixed contacts 20a of the other switch, while the other direct current line is connected to the remaining fixed contacts and also with the movable contact 33. The coils 26 of the operating electro-ma'gnets for both reeds are connected in series with a one terminal connected directly to one side of asmuch as the,, tie member is located at the free end of the reeds where the movement is greate'st and that any material increase in the resistthe rigidity at this point and thereby reduce the possibility of out-of-phaseoperation of the contacts and also to provide a support for mounting a movable driver coil contact in insulated relation the direct current circuit 43. The other terminal of the series connected coils is connected directly to the fixed contact 31 which cooperates with movable driver coil contact 33. This latter terminal is also connected through a resistor 42 to the movable contact 33 so that the two coils are always connected across the direct current circuit 40 through resistor 42 and are periodically connected directlyacross the lines of the direct current circuit 40 when the contact 83 is in engagement with the contact 37. This arrangement provides forthe continuous energization of the operating coils 26 but provides for a variation in the magnitude of the voltage impressed thereon in accordance with the open or closed position of contacts 33 and 31. .A condenser 43 may be swans connectedacrossthedrlvingcoilsltifdesired, to improve the characteristics of the driving force applied to the armature II by the electrom snet.

The vibrator construction and circuit arrangementdescribedabovenotonlytendstoreduce' th amount of out-of-phase operation of the two reeds because of the mechanical connections and the balanced moimting of the driver coil contact, but also precludes the possibility of a direct short circuit on the direct current circuit due to sufficient out-of-phase operation of the reeds to causetheclosureofonereedonthesetoffixedcontacts on one side thereof, while the contacts carried by the other reed are in contact with the opposite set of fixed contacts. In the construction shown in Fig. it is apparent that if the direct current circuit were connected to the reeds II, as has been done in the past, such out-ofphase operation as just described would cause a short circuit on the direct current circuit 40. With the alternating current and direct current circuits interchanged with respect to the fixed and vibratory contacts of the inverter, it is necessary to electrically insulate the driver coil contact from the reeds l4. Ifhe member 29 provides this support for'the driver coil contact 33 and at the same time improves the balance of the vibrator system as a whole because of its centrally located position between the two vibratory reeds. This member also rigidly connects the vibratory reeds in the region of the main contacts. Thisarrangement has been found to operate very successfully and to minimize the out-of-phase operation of the reeds even during the starting operation of the vibratory switch. The smoother driving force applied to the armature by the electromagnet with the resistor 42 connected in series with the driving coil has also contributed to the smoothness of operation of the reed and a reduction in the out-of-phase operation thereof.

In the circuit shown in Fig. 5 no means has been provided for reducing the current to zero at the time in which contacts are to be interrupted. It is to be understood that any suitable inverter circuit for controlling the current through the contacts may be employed if desired. With the arrangement shown, the contacts will be required torbreak the load current and the voltage appearing at the terminals of the alternating current circuit U will be of simple rec- ,tangular wave form. If a tuned circuit inverter is employed, however, the current through the contacts may be reduced to zero at the time of operation and the output voltage may be substantially sinusoidal in form.

While I have shown and described a particular embodiment of my invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from my invention and I, therefore, aim in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

l. A vibratory switch comprising in combination a plurality of fixed contacts, a pair of elongated vibratory elements lyingin substantially the same plane in spaced relation, movable contacts carried by said vibratory elements and arranged to engage alternately certain of said fixed contacts as said elements are vibrated, means rigidly connecting said vibratory elements together in the region of said movable contacts,

electromagnetic means for exerting a driving force on said vibratory elements, and a movable contact carried by said first mentioned means I midway between said vibratory elements and in insulated relation with respect thereto for controlling the circuit of said electromagnetic means. 2. A vibratory switch comprising in combination a plurality of fixed contacts, a pair of elon- 10 gated vibratory elements lying in substantially the same plane in spaced relation, movable contacts carried by said vibratory elements and arranged to engage alternately certain of said fixed contacts as said elements are vibrated, rigid means of insulating material interconnecting said vibratory elements in the region of said movable contacts, electromagnetic means for-exerting a driving force on said vibratory elements, a movable contact supported in insulated relation with respect to said elements on said rigid means and intermediate said vibratory elements for controlling the circuit of said electromagnetic means in accordance with the position of said vibratory elements.

3. A vibratory switch comprising in combination a plurality of fixed contacts, a pair of elongated vibratory elements lying in substantially the same plane in spaced relation, movable con tacts carried by said vibratory elements and ar- 3 ranged to engage alternately said fixed contacts to control the transfer of energy between circuits connected-with said fixed and movable contacts as said elements are vibrated, means rigidly interconnecting said vibratory elements, electromagnetic means including a driving coil for exerting a driving force on said vibratory elements, a movable contact supported in insulated relation with respect to said vibratory elements by said means intermediate/said elements, said last mentioned movable contact being connected in circuit with said coil for controlling the energizetion thereof in-accordance with the position of said vibratory elements.

4. A vibratory switch comprising in combination a support, a plurality of fixed contacts, a pair of elongated vibratory elements lying in substantially the same plane and secured near one end thereof in fixed relation to said support, movable contacts carried by said vibratory elements and arranged to engage alternately certain of said fixed contacts as said elements are vibrated, means rigidly interconnecting said vibratory elements in the region of said movable contacts, 'means interconnecting said vibratory elements at the end opposite that at which they are supported in fixed relation to said support, said last mentioned interconnecting means having a small dimension in the direction of the length of said vibratory elements as compared to the dimension thereof in the direction of motion of said vibratory elements to provide a rigid connection between said elements at the free ends thereof and at the same time to present a minimum of resistance to vibration, means for exerting a, driving force on said elements near the free ends thereof including an electromagnet having an operating coil, and contact means carried on said first mentioned means midway between and in insulated relation with respect to the vibratory elements for controlling the energization of said operating coil.

5. In combination, a vibratory switch comprising a plurality of fixed contacts, a pair of vibratory elements, contacts supported upon and moved by said vibratory elements foraltemately engaging certain of said fixed contacts, an alternating current circuit connected to said movable contacts, a'direct current circuit connected to said fixed contacts, electromagnetic means including a driver coil for operating said vibratory elements and an energizing circuit for said'coil .including cooperating contacts, one of which is carried by said movable contact structure in insulated relation with respect thereto, means for connecting said driver coil permanently to one terminal of said direct current circuit, means connecting the other terminal of said coil to the other terminal of said direct current circuit through said cooperating contacts, and impedance means shunting said cooperating contacts for maintaining said driver coil continuously energized from said direct current circuit.

6. A vibratory switch including a support, a

pair of elongated vibratory elements mounted in fixed relation to said support, each of said eletending between said parallel members and secured thereto to form a rigid connection between said vibratory elements, a movable contact carried by said insulating member and cooperating with a fixed contact of said vibratory switch to control the energization of said driver coil, and resistance means connected in parallel with said last mentioned contacts to maintain said coilenergized when said last mentioned contacts are in open circuit position. r

- ORDEAN KILTIE. 

